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Prairies Summit charts way forward for our union

More than 60 union leaders from across the Prairie Region gathered in Regina over the weekend to discuss priorities for our union and strategize for the coming year. The Prairies Summit opened on Saturday with greetings from Marianne Hladun, Prairies Regional Executive Vice-President.

“We’re faced with a government that’s out to destroy the labour movement, our communities, and anyone that doesn’t prescribe to their agenda,” Hladun told participants. “At the end of the day we have two choices: we can accept defeat or we can fight back. I believe the members in this region want to fight.”

The National Board of Directors (NBoD) had previously identified some priorities for our union as a whole, which set the framework for discussions and planning at the regional level. Leaders brainstormed innovative strategies and identified tools and resources needed to be most effective.

Additionally, bargaining team members gave updates for the various bargaining units. To show solidarity, attendees signed a banner with messages of support for our PSAC bargaining teams and took a group photo to accompany it.

PSAC National President Robyn Benson closed the Summit on Sunday with some encouraging words.

“If we give them an inch, they’ll take a mile. So we’re saying no to concessions at the table,” Benson said. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. We need to work together to ensure that this is a Canada we can live in and be proud of because together we will win.”

Attendees included the Prairie Region Council, component national officers, and representatives from the various human rights committees, regional women’s committees and area councils throughout the Prairies.

A steering committee was established with representation from each group who will monitor the progress and ensure we’re working strategically to implement the plans and ideas developed at the Summit.